We decorate the restroom mirrors with post it notes with positive and inspiring quotes so that the students who are testing see those messages all day long!

To reduce test anxiety, we organize a lively rally where younger students create motivational signs, cheer loudly, and give high-fives to those taking tests. This energizing atmosphere helps create a positive and supportive environment, boosting confidence and reducing anxiety for all students involved.

We then post the signs around the school.

We “roll out the red carpet” literally in our 3rd and 4th grade hallways and teachers and students write encouraging messages right on top (we use butcher paper) so they can read them each morning.
We also have a Rock the Test pep rally the week before for the school to encourage and celebrate our tested grades.

We also have younger grades adopt a class and kids love it! We have them do videos for each one of the testing days to encourage the kids! We also did a high five morning celebration where parents showed up on the first day of testing and greeted kids off the buses and out of cars! They felt like celebrities. Something I have done in the past is ask students what they are good at that is not academic and we put it on chart paper with the hash tag #morethanatestscore. It reminds students that they are not just defined by what they score on a test!

As part of a Leader in Me school - our student create one word mission statements, or classroom mission statements to persevere, do their best, and reach their goals!

I always work on changing my 1st graders’ mentality when it comes to the various tests we have to take. We have a long conversation about how tests will be a part of our life regardless of what career paths we choose. I try to pump them up by reminding them it is an opportunity for them to show how incredible they are. Cheesy as it sounds, they now cheer for assessments rather than groan. I hope this mentality sticks with them as they become old enough for standardized testing.